Bhavnagar: Two UN officials have arrived to
assess various issues concerning the human rights of workers
engaged in the ship-breaking industry at Alang, Gujarat
Pollution Control Board (GPCB) officials said here on Saturday.
"Okechukwu Ibeanu, Special Rapporteur of the UN Human
Rights Council on the adverse effects of the movement and
dumping of toxic and dangerous products and wastes on the
enjoyment of human rights, and Human Rights Officer Stefano
Sensi, both from Geneva, arrived here today," GPCB member
secretary R G Shah said.
"The UN officials are here to assess issues concerning
the human rights of those engaged in the ship-breaking
industry," he said, adding the duo were also interested in
learning the reason for Oriya people arriving here as
temporary labourers.
"They would be looking into the issues concerning,
workers' safety, their human rights and environmental safety,"
Shah said, adding that the UN representatives would be staying
in Alang tomorrow and are likely to leave Monday morning.
The UN officials were accompanied by officials of the
GPCB and the Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB), sources said.
PTI
First Published: Saturday, January 16, 2010, 21:50